Is it just me, or was it a bit bizarre to see Mariano Rivera named the MVP of the All-Star game? I know he is probably the greatest closer of all time and that this is his last year. And I think he fully deserved the standing ovation he got. But should he really have been given the MVP, too? Doesn't that award usually at least go to someone who contributed more meaningfully to the victory of the winning team?
Don't get me wrong, that perfect 8th inning by Mo was a thing of beauty. Still... is this such an exhibition game now that it has really become baseball's version of the Oscars? I mean, as the years go on, are bookmakers going to start predicting the game MVP before it happens -- sort of like "Best Actor" awards?
Forgive me for this rant... but somewhere the little kid in me who used to love the All-Star game as a real competition will be crying himself to sleep tonight.